He revealed he had already discussed the situation with Stockton Council leader Bob Gibson, who told him "in words of one syllable" that it was just not on.

The MP said he was anxious to see Cleveland adequately cover-ed in policing terms.

Mr Cook said: "But it is not simply going to be a question of the police authority saying 'this is what we want' and them getting it.

"They're going to have to justify it at every step of the way."

Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland MP Ashok Kumar predicted there would be "lots of difficult questions" from him and his colleagues.

He said: "The police have got to learn to live within their means and that does not mean simply taking more and more from the tax payers."

Cleveland Police's figures are being challenged by Redcar MP Vera Baird, who believes the police authority's estimates are way out.

Last week, Ms Baird checked the authority's claims with the Home Office and was told that the sums being quoted were incorrect.

She said: "If there is any danger policing will be affected in our area, I'll be the first to fight for funds, but I do not accept the figures that are being quoted."

However, Middlesbrough MP Stuart Bell said he recognised that the area needed an effective police force, one able to tackle drug dealers and go after burglars.

He said many of his constituents had written to him expressing their concerns at the high rates of house breaking and their fears to leave their homes unattended.

Reasons given for the £6.6m spending gap in the police budget for the coming year include claims that increases in Government grant do not cover pay rises and inflation for the coming year.

The police say they are facing spending pressures in areas such as pension costs and new national policing initiatives.

Cash is also required for service improvements such as an extra 20 staff in the force's communications headquarters, allowing for more officers in Middlesbrough and Stockton, and setting up a special unit to tackle serious drug crime.